# 5. Google Play publication

## Requirements

* [**Bravo Solo account**](https://www.bravostudio.app/pricing)
* [**Google Developer account**](https://play.google.com/apps/publish/signup/)

{% hint style="warning" %}
If you're a company, open a [Google developer account for your organization](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/13628312?hl=en). The new personal developer accounts **require running a closed test with 20 testers for at least 14 days**, extending the publication process to over 2 weeks.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you don't have a Google Developer account yet, sign up [here](https://play.google.com/console/u/0/signup). There's a US$25 one-time registration fee. 
{% endhint %}

## 1. Create app

![Create app button](/files/-MhSowuYSJxOxQDOlwT6)

* Once registered, go to <https://play.google.com/apps/publish/> and press "**Create app**" button.
* Select your **preferred language**, enter your **App name**, indicate if it's an **App or a game**, and if it's **Free or paid**. &#x20;

![Create app - App details](/files/-MhSowuXpbIc2XiZCZI5)

* Scroll down and **accept both Developer Program Policies and US export laws**. Then click **Create app** button.&#x20;

## 2. Set up your app

Go to the Dashboard and find the **Set up your app** section. We will start by completing the tasks under **"MANAGE HOW YOUR APP IS ORGANISED AND PRESENTED":**

### 2.1. Set up your Store Listing

* Select "**Set up your store listing**".&#x20;
* Enter some information and assets in the "**App Details**" and "**Graphics**" subsections:&#x20;

![Set up your app - Set up your Store Listing](/files/ng1OlKtgXswIf6fQpDw4)

#### **App details**&#x20;

Complete the following fields: **App name**, a **short description** and a **full description** of your app.

* **Mandatory:**
  * [ ] App name: max 50 characters
  * [ ] Short description: max 80 characters
  * [ ] Full description: max 4000 characters

![Main store listing - App details](/files/-MhSowub-_tQyrPld2UP)

#### **Graphic assets**&#x20;

Add the **App icon**, **Feature graphic and Phone, Tablet** or/and **Chromebook screenshots.**

![Main store listing - Graphics](/files/-MhSowuWnliEGvB2enfh)

* **Mandatory:**
  * [ ] **Hi-res App icon**: 512 x 512, 32-bit PNG
  * [ ] **Feature Graphic**: 1024 w x 500 h, JPG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha)
  * [ ] **Screenshots (Phone, Tablet and Chromebook)**:&#x20;
    * JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha). Min length for any side: 320px.&#x20;
    * Max length for any side: 3840px.&#x20;
    * **At least 2 screenshots are required** overall. Max 8 screenshots per type.&#x20;
    * Only screenshots in **Phone** section are mandatory.
* **Optional:**
  * [ ] **Promo Graphic**: 180 w x 120 h, JPG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha)
  * [ ] **Promo Video**: YouTube video URL

Once the mandatory information is ready, click **Save** and go back to **Dashboard - Set up your app** section.&#x20;

### 2.2. Select an app category and provide contact details

![Set up your app - Select an app category and provide contact details](/files/1UmLCQPhZ2k5zD6DbfY6)

<figure><img src="/files/M4Q7y10heCUx4wRnafqS" alt=""><figcaption><p>Store settings - App category - Store Listing contact details</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and click on "**Select an app category and provide contact details"** section.&#x20;
* Click on the **Edit** button of the **App Category** and select a **Category** for your app.&#x20;
* You can also optionally include **Tags** to describe the content and functionality of your app.
* In **Store listing contact details,** click on the **Edit** button and enter an **Email**, which will be publicly displayed with your app. **Phone number** and **Website** fields are optional.
* Click **Save** button at the bottom right.

Now, we're filling out all the steps listed below "**LET US KNOW ABOUT THE CONTENT OF YOUR APP**" subsection.&#x20;

### 2.3. Privacy policy

<figure><img src="/files/AR2meFjzJIocS3hXTNo4" alt=""><figcaption><p>Privacy policy</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Set Privacy policy**".&#x20;
* Enter your **Privacy policy URL.**
* Click on the **Save** button at the bottom right to proceed.

### 2.4. App access

<figure><img src="/files/o31fUVCjAjXHGYr9EppC" alt=""><figcaption><p>Set up your app - App access</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**App access**".
* Select "**All functionality in my app is available without any access restrictions**".
* Click on the bottom right **Save** button.

### 2.5. Ads

<figure><img src="/files/5iCwQ4WEVsE70YTKcEvz" alt=""><figcaption><p>Ads</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and click on **Ads**.
* Select whether or not your app contains ads.&#x20;
* Click **Save** button.&#x20;

### 2.6. Content rating

![Content ratings questionnaire](/files/zF1098COdxtiWmc0YQcL)

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app,** select "**Content rating**".&#x20;
* Click **Start questionnaire** button to start the Content Rating Questionnaire.&#x20;
* Enter an **email address** which will be used to contact you about your content ratings.
* Select a **category**, and answer some questions about the contents of your app. &#x20;

![Content ratings](/files/iM9ZBOCZpkNvu1hC93B9)

{% hint style="info" %}
Questions will vary depending on the category previously selected. Normally, you should select **No** to all answers.
{% endhint %}

* Once ready, click **Save** and **Next** buttons at the bottom right.
* In the Summary page, click **Save**.

### 2.7. Target audience&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/BnmNgmcXkYyaRUG3QXei" alt=""><figcaption><p>Target audience and content - Target age</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Target audience**".&#x20;
* Select the age groups that you think your app is suitable for.

{% hint style="info" %}
It is safer to select **18 and over** to avoid [Google Play Family Policy](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9893335?hl=en) issues.
{% endhint %}

* Click **Next** at the bottom right to continu&#x65;**.**
* Select whether or not your store listing could unintentionally appeal to children.&#x20;
* Click **Next** to proceed and then, **Save.**&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/WHDxunWh8w9zgj429IkO" alt=""><figcaption><p>Target audience and content - Store presence</p></figcaption></figure>

### 2.8. News apps

<figure><img src="/files/iXK3EKanx8PQwxKkthSA" alt=""><figcaption><p>News apps</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**News app**"
* Select if your app is a news app or not.&#x20;
* Then, click **Save**.

### 2.9. COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps

<figure><img src="/files/ftOxAyEHZQWRAXAQNAX0" alt=""><figcaption><p>COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps**"
* Select if your app is publicly available COVID-19 contact tracing or status app or not.
* Then, click **Save**.

### &#x20;2.10. Data safety

<figure><img src="/files/GYomqT0Qhgo5Ky89yvO4" alt=""><figcaption><p>Data Safety</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set your app** and select "**Data safety**".
* Read the Overview section and click **Next**.

#### **Data collection and security**

* Complete the **Data collection and security section** as follow&#x73;**:**
  * Answer **YES** to "Does your app collect or share any of the required user data types?"
  * Answer **YES** to "Is all of the user data collected by your app encrypted in transit?"

<figure><img src="/files/SNjJVfJrcJNmHqfssYKU" alt=""><figcaption><p>Data safety - Data collection and security</p></figcaption></figure>

#### **Delete account URL**

* Specify the method of account creation your app support.
* Add a **delete account URL** link.

{% hint style="info" %}
**How to find your delete account URL in Bravo?**

Select your **App** **>** **Publish > Android > Publication > Deletion account URL for Google Play** > **Copy URL.**&#x20;
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/m248FfS8RamfCb3D2uTx" alt=""><figcaption><p>User account creation and deletion URL</p></figcaption></figure>

#### **Data types**

* In Data types section, select the following:
  * Under **App info and performance**, select **Crash logs**.&#x20;
  * Under select **Device or other IDs**,  select **Device or other IDs.**
* Select any other that applies to your app (example: if it uses location)

![](/files/JtDmQB2WscoO6tBNdkzS)

#### **Data usage and handling**

* &#x20;In Data usage and handling, **Device or other IDs**, click on the **arrow** to continue.

![Data usage and handling - Device and other IDs](/files/JqNVwidRO6VViS3jnPQi)

* Fill out the options as in the following image:

![Device and other IDs](/files/z7vZDrxBqXWqgAd2n2Cw)

* Open the **App info and performance** dropdown. Click the arrow on **Crash logs.**

![](/files/Rg2kYVwVgtMv27vHvac2)

* Select exactly the same options as before and click **Save**.
* Click **Next**, then **Save** to finish this section.

![](/files/FaThpBEJORAQKK7gcbOe)

### 2.11. Government apps

<figure><img src="/files/HnyA0i2p53WyQQpXymnR" alt=""><figcaption><p>Governments apps</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Government apps**".
* Confirm if your app is developed by or on behalf of a government.
* Click **Save** to proceed.

### 2.12. Financial features

<figure><img src="/files/ulEMcMZAID8nsoXXspb7" alt=""><figcaption><p>Financial features</p></figcaption></figure>

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Financial features**".
* Select all of the financial features your app provides or select "**My app doesn't provide any financial features**".
* Click **Next** and **Save** to proceed.

### 2.12. Advertising ID

* From the left hand side bar, scroll down to Policy and Programmes section and click on **App Content**.
* Find **Advertising ID** and click on **Manage** button.
* Under declaration: **Does your app use an advertising ID?**&#x20;
  * Select **Yes** and the checkbox **Analytics** in the list that appears below. This is needed for Firebase Analytics.
  * Select **No** only if your App has been declared that the [Target audience](#id-2.7.-target-audience) are kids.

<figure><img src="/files/DdWoIevdwNonKlCV81iU" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## 3. Release your app

Once completed the initial setup "Set up your app", go back to the Google Play Console **Dashboard** and now locate the **Release your app** section.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/UoZMozsikrmtoXWQgXid" alt=""><figcaption><p>Dashboard - Release your app</p></figcaption></figure>

### 3.1. Select countries and regions&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/c9vyC3JS4XU13mz95nTe" alt=""><figcaption><p>Release your app - Select countries and regions</p></figcaption></figure>

* Tap on **Select countries and regions.**
* Click on **Add countries/regions** and the confirmation pop-up.  Then, select all the countries you want your app to be available for. You can click on the first checkbox, if you want availability for **all** the listed countries.&#x20;
* Do not forget to **Save** at the bottom right of the screen.

<figure><img src="/files/BerhmrK3caT2DGF5BnIU" alt=""><figcaption><p>Countries/regions</p></figcaption></figure>

### 3.2. Create a new release

{% hint style="info" %}
To complete this step, obtaining the **.aab file** is necessary. Learn how to get the AAB file [here](/app-publication/publishing-your-app/android-publication-complete-process/4.-get-the-aab-android-app-bundle-file-to-publish.md).
{% endhint %}

If it's your first time creating a production release, you'll see the screen below:<br>

<figure><img src="/files/Jy3B0N8ZJHBpr2G2rpJA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To upload a bundle, provide a signing key or generate one using Play app signing. Click **Choose signing key**, then select **Use Google-generated key**. Wait a moment and refresh the page.

<figure><img src="/files/4lb0TSYU1McosO6wgpKG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When you're ready to upload your first app bundle, you'll see the following screen.

![Release your app - Create a new release - App Integrity](/files/nnm6SYZNVQ1eOjYvDwe0)

* Go to **Dashboard** - **Release your app**, click on **Create a new release**.&#x20;
* Within the **App Integrity** section:&#x20;

  * Navigate to the **App bundles** subsection and proceed to **upload the `.aab` file** that Bravo provided.

  * Add the **Release name**. Suggested a name based on the first app bundle or APK in this release, but you can edit it.

  * Optionally, you can scroll down to "**Release notes**" subsection and enter release notes for each language. \
    \
    Here is a list of the supported languages: <https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/table/4419860>\
    \
    For example, if you want release notes for English and Spanish, you would enter:<br>

    ```
    <en-US>
    Enter or paste your release notes for en-US here
    </en-US>

    <en-US>
    Introduce o pegue su información de release para es-ES aquí 
    </es-ES>
    ```

  * Click the **Save** button at the bottom right, and then **Review release** button.

  * You may see some warning messages, but you can ignore these. If you followed all the steps correctly, your app is ready to publish.&#x20;

  * Click the **Start rollout to Production** button, confirm the popup by clicking on **Rollout.**

That's it!  Your app will be live soon. For new apps, normally it takes around 3 days to go live.

Let us know in the [Bravo Community](https://community.bravostudio.app/c/made-with-bravo) know when your app goes live! We will add it to our "**Made with Bravo**" section. 💥


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